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Notah Begay Reporting Live for NBC Sports, Golf Channel

ICTMN Staff

1/9/13

Starting tomorrow at the Sony Open at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu, Hawaii, Notah Begay III will be walking the course with a different agenda.

Rather than swinging a golf club, the Navajo/San Felipe/Isleta four-time Professional Golf Association (PGA) Tour winner will interviewing players and reporting on the ground as a full-time member of the broadcast team for NBC Sports and Golf Channel.

"I'm absolutely thrilled to join the Golf Channel and NBC golf broadcast teams," Begay said in a statement. "The game of golf is as exciting as ever, and I look forward to utilizing my extensive experience to provide viewers with insight into the competition and its players."

Begay, whose golf career slowed in recent years due to back injuries, is no stranger to reporting. In 2010, Begay participated in the Golf Channel's "Live from the Masters" news coverage, and he has contributed to Golf Channel's reports at the Masters and U.S. Open for the past three years, reported the Associated Press. In addition to serving as a walking reporter, he will participate in Golf Channel news programs and cover the majors.

"Notah has a wealth of knowledge, experience and a tremendous passion for the game of golf, and we are excited for him to be expanding his role within the NBC Sports Group," Golf Channel executive producer Molly Solomon said. "He already has demonstrated a knack for honest and candid analysis during Golf Channel's 'Live From' coverage, and our viewers can expect the same when he reports from the golf course."

Begay has used his high-profile position and success to improve the health of Native American youth nationwide. In 2005, he founded The Notah Begay III Foundation, a nonprofit that works to battle obesity and diabetes among young people in Indian country through sport and education. To date, NB3 programs have reached more than 12,000 Native youth in 11 states.

Begay additionally hosts the annual NB3 Challenge at at Turning Stone Resort's Atunyote Golf Club on the Oneida Indian Reservation in Verona, New York. The tournament, approaching its sixth year, consistently attracts golf stars such as Tiger Woods (Begay's roommate and teammate at Stanford University), Rickie Fowler, Cristie Kerr and Yani Tseng. “It’s a world-class event,” Crystal Echo Hawk, executive director of the NB3 Foundation, previously told ICTMN. “I don’t think there is anything like it in Indian country.”

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I enjoyed following his golf career and rooting for his success, but I have to say I am now a bigger fan of his commentator skills. Great demeanor and great insight. Great addition and look forward to seeing him for many years.

Notah,
Your comments suggesting a time limit on people calling to report infractions was going in the right direction. I do not believe it is fair to only have cameras on the top players. There are many other players who make mistakes on the course that are not reported. Lets be fair to all the players. We can not put cameras on all players because that would create 8-10 hour rounds. All of the golf tours need to address this situation. Again great comment Notah........
DBZ, Scottsdale, Arizona